Anderson’s world championship dream is ended by Dutchman

GARY Anderson’s dream of becoming the 2013 Ladbrokes World Darts Champion was shattered last Thursday night as he slumped to a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld.

Five-time world champion van Barneveld powered his way into the quarter-finals after comfortably defeating the Berwickshire man 4-0 in a 33-minute romp.

The Dutchman edged a high-quality first set which lasted a little over seven minutes, before dropping just three more legs to the 2011 finalist, who was left to rue 23 missed darts at doubles.

“The key to my win was taking the first set, which gave me huge confidence,” said van Barneveld.

“After that first set, Gary’s level seemed to drop and he didn’t produce the high scoring that saw him hit 19 180s against John Bowles.”

“I believe that I can win the World Championship once again. With the confidence I currently have, I can beat anyone, and I’m playing well and enjoying myself.”

Van Barneveld hit a 180 in the process of taking the first leg and posted another in the second, but a missed dart at double 12 saw Anderson take out a clinical two-dart 75 finish to level.

Van Barneveld hit double four to win the third leg, before Anderson replied with double 12 to win the fourth, which included a 180 from the Scot, but it was the 2006 champion who posted a superb 171 in the decider to leave 36 before taking out double 18 at the first time of asking to establish an early lead.

The Grand Slam of Darts champion hit his third 180 at the start of the second set, but three missed darts at doubles proved costly as Anderson hit double ten to edge ahead.

Van Barneveld hit double 16 to secure an immediate break to level, and the five-time World Champion hit double eight in the next after Anderson was guilty of missing three chances at double 16 before wrapping up another set with a 14-dart finish.

The Dutchman hit double ten to win the first leg of the third set, before capitalising on two missed darts at doubles from Anderson to break throw in the second with back-to-back 14-dart finishes.

Van Barneveld was off-target with two chances to win the set in the third leg, and Anderson accepted his reprieve on double five.

The third dart came to Anderson’s rescue again as he hit double four to win the fourth leg and level, but van Barneveld won the set’s decider on double eight to pull further ahead at 3-0.

Van Barneveld continued his momentum in set four as he broke throw on double five, before landing double 16 in the next to move a leg away from victory.

He initially missed five match darts in the third leg, but Anderson was off-target on six doubles of his own to allow van Barnevend in to secure victory on double three.